Networking can boost your prospects. Here's where to go to meet the movers and shakers of the Scottish finance community.
1. Spend summer on the golf course.
"Golf courses are the number one places to meet the top Scots in finance,' says one leading Scottish recruiter. 'A lot of deals are still done on the golf course.'
People who count golf as a hobby include Graeme Kemsley, director of investment management at Newton Investment Management, Michael Mullins, head of commercial banking at Lloyds TSB Scotland and Stephanie Bruce, leader of PwC's financial services practice in Scotland.
Companies which seem to harbour plenty of golfers include The Co-operative Bank, Ernst & Young, and LTSB Scotland. Now you know what to put on the hobbies section of your CV…
2. Prop up the bar at Wighams Wine Cellars in Edinburgh
'This where the old guard of bankers go in the West End,' says our source with glass in hand. (Preview Wighams here.)
3. Join a networking group such as Edinburgh Young Professionals
Edinburgh Young Professionals is aimed at those in their twenties and thirties or in the early stages of their careers. Members include investment managers, accountants, bankers, marketing and PR professionals - and recruitment consultants. It's free to join and events are usually sponsored to keep prices down.
4. Join a professional body
'Choose one that reflects your career ambitions,' says Mark Beacom from recruiter Michael Page in Glasgow. The Scotland branch of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI) puts on professional seminars, industry debates, parties and formal dinners such as its awards night and dinner in September. As well as networking you can boost expertise at its courses.
Its president is Stephen Barclay, vice-president of operations in Morgan Stanley’s Private Wealth Management division in Glasgow, and members come from organisations such as Scottish Widows, BNP Paribas, Standard Life, Baillie Gifford, Barclays Wealth Management, and Brewin Dolphin.
5. Attend events put on by the Scottish Financial Risk Academy (SFRA)
SFRA's colloquia, covering ways to tackle financial risk, are free. "They are technical briefings, but also include the chance to meet people from the industry," says Noreen O'Donnell from the SFRA.
